The Irish standard., 1887-07-16
(From the Irish World,l
Theobald Wolfe Tone,


Theobald Wolfe Tone was born in
Dublin 1853. His grandfather owned
some land at BodenstoYn, Kildare
county, and his father was engaged IN
business as a coach builder in Stafford
street, Dublin. In February, 1881,
Theobald entered Trinity College
where he obtained a scholarship in
17s4. In the following year he married
Matilda Witherington, then only six
teen years old, whom he describes as
being beautiful as an angel" In
February, 1886, he took the Degree Ct
q. A., resigned his scholarship, and
left the University. His father about
this time became bankrupt and retired
to Bodenstown aid with him Theobald
and lis wife resided for while. In
a7s7 Tone entered the Middle Temple,
London but after remaining in the Eng
l;sh CAPITAL for two years he returned
home Soon after this, moved by the
miserable condition OF his native land,
he turned his thoughts and energies to
her service. He became convinced
that, to use his own words, 'Ireland
would never be either free, prosperous
or happy, until she was independent,
and that Independence Was unattaln-
able while the connection with Eng
land existed.'' In 1891 he wrote can
Argument on Behalf of tl1e Catholics
OF Ireland" which brought him into
friendly and close relatious with the
PRINCIPAL Catholic leaders, who induced
liin to accept the position Of secretary
OF the Catholic Committee About the
same time he became active as q United
Irlshnlan In 1895 bis friends deemed
1t advisable that he should leave Ire
land, owing to the fact that the Gov
ernmenG officials had determined to ar
rest him. The Catholic Committe Oh
Ghis occasion presented him with 1880
iD recognition Of bis services. lie left
Dublin with his family 10 take shipping
at Belfast for America, but was unable
to procure 81 passage from the latter
port for nearly q month. While there
he, viii, Russell, Nelson and McCrack
en-, assembled TO the summit Of McArt's
Fort, on Cave IJil}, and there took g sol
emn obligation never to stesist from
their efforts Until they had secured the
Independence of ireland Tone, with
his family, reached Wilmington, Del,
in safety, after having narrowly escaped
being impressed by the captain of a
British cruiser. Soon after his arrival
he visited the Trench Minister Adet, at
Philadelphia, and explained to him the
views OF the United Irjshnen Cd the
subject OF French aid for the Irish peo-
pie. Then be bought q farm at Prince.
ton, and was about TO settle down TO
the life Of all agriculturist when he re-
.ceiyed letters from some Of his old COM
rades informing him OF the advance OF
revolutionary sentiments in Ireland.
and iheceupon determined to go to
France and seek aid for his country
meu He was successful in his under
taking, being materially aided by James
Monroe, then American Minister to
France and afterwards President of the
United States. Through his exertions
the Trench government WAS induced to
st cut an expedition in aid OF the Irish !
people. 1t set sail from Brest, under
the command Of Hoche, On Dec l6,
1896, but encountered severe storms, SO
that outy portion Of it reached Bantry
Bay, Tone being on board Of one Of the
vessels witch anchored there. On Dec. |
%, the storm continuing. it was decided
to retlrn to France. After this Tone
succeeded i'll persuading the Dutch
Government 10 fit out a haetfor Ireland.
but once nore the winds were contrary |
and the expedition VAS finally aban-
&loned. Hopeful III spite ofall reverses,
he once more applied TO the French
government for aid, and was gratified |
at seeing All army organized for the in
vasion of England; but Napoleon, who
was appointed Commander-in-C Chief, |
suddenly started on his Egyption expe-
dition the very day On which the insur-
rection in Ireland broke out, and thus
disappointed the expectations of the
devoted patriot. In August 'eS Hum
bert started on the expedition to Kill |
ala. and in the following month Tone
accompanied a squadron under Admiral
Bonpart which encountered vastly |
superior British naval force off Lough !
Swilly. The flagship Hoche, on board
of which the ndomitable hero was,
fought fOr six hours five British war
vessels, but at length surrendered a
<7ismantled wreck. The prisoners taken,
including Tone, were brought to Let
terkenny, where they were invited to
breakfast. Here the hero was recog-
alized by Sir George Hill, and at once
ironed and sent off TO Dublin. On No
vanlher 10 he WAS sttried,, by a court.